Watt to expect from Ryan

The hot topic on every Wildcats fan's lips this week? Ryan Watt is back in town.

Watt was dramatically sacked by the Slough Jets just last week. According to social media Watt was approached by 7 other clubs around the leagues, a fact he has confirmed. So what is it that swung his decision to sign up with the Cats?

We met up with Watt at the Swindon Ice Arena tonight where he was taking part in his first official training session with the team. He told us he was looking for a position where he could be a top six forward. Watt has made no secret of the fact that he would like another shot at the elite league and he feels a solid year a Swindon will give him that opportunity before he reaches his peak. The 23 year old spent last season with the Braehead Clan.

In his short spell with Slough this season Watt played just 4 games, and served a 4 game ban.

'After I got sacked I wasn't very happy. When I spoke to him (Michael Wales) I told him we might have to fight but looking at it now, it had to be done by Slough. It's a part of hockey and I'm over it now. I just want to beat Slough on the scoreboard and send them home!'

With that in mind, it brings into question Aldridge's motivations behind bringing in a player with such a tumultuous background. 'He (Aldridge) wants me to be one of, if not the top Brit on this team. He doesn't want me in the penalty box. He wants me scoring points and helping win games for the team'. Watt feels that his experience will add more depth to is already a strong team.

Tonight, at practise, we saw Aldridge slot him on the first line, alongside Hoog and Silvander. Can we expect to see this same combination on Saturday? According to Watt, Aldridge has not yet confirmed his line but he found that he could read a lot from the Nordic duo. 'They are both smart players...They can help me as much as I can help them.'

The Wildcats face off against the MK Lightning this Saturday. If the paperwork goes through on time, Ryan Watt will join them. Will we see the Cats turn it up another notch?

'I like to score goals and I like to throw my body around sometimes that's what a team needs.'

Ryan Aldridge: One month in...taking stock

After the Milton Keynes game last Sunday we sat down with Player/Coach Ryan Aldridge to review what has so far been a rollercoaster first month of the season for the Swindon Wildcats.

SWSC: Ryan, any thoughts on tonight's game?

Ryan: I've got to take the positives out of tonight. I think that's the best performance we've had in a long time. I think it has shown what we are capable of and how we can play. We have to play like that every night and we haven't played like that for a couple of weeks now. Yeah, it's frustrating to loose but again I have to take the positives out of it and I think everyone played really well tonight.

SWSC: So we are one month in and in 4th place. Lessons learned?

Ryan: I think we just made too many mental lapses in games and you know in some games we haven't worked hard enough. We said in the summer when we built the team, the style of hockey we wanted to play. When we played Telford in the warm up games, we played the game we wanted to play and the tonight's the only night we played properly and hard since then. We now know how we need to play and we need to do that every night.

SWSC: So who needs to pull their socks up?

Ryan: We all have. We all need to stand there and be accountable for it. One guy can't play hard one shift and then have the next one off. We all have to work together. So, we've all got to pull our socks up. We know how we need to play. Plain and Simple.

SWSC: So what's been your high point of the season so far?

Ryan: I think probably the start we've had. Until last weekend we were sitting pretty. But last weekend was definitely a low point for me. The boys are playing well so it's tough to loose tonight. If we had won tonight then that would have been the high point for me.

SWSC: Henri Sandvik and the new imports are certainly making an impression on the fans, How are they gelling with the old boys?

Ryan: Henri is a lovable guy, especially if you are a coach. You love what he brings every night. He brings his heart and soul and the team comes first over everything. That's why I brought him back this year, love what he offered. Obviously Jonas (Hoog) is an old boy now. Aku (Pekkarinen) has been great from start to finish and I think he is a great signing. Juha (Silvander) has had a bit of a slow start finding his feet but I thought he played with more energy tonight.

SWSC: There have been rumours that you are looking for a new forward. Can you give us any more insight into that?

Ryan: I got asked a question last week, how do you feel about your goals? I said, yes we need to create more goals and if it gets to the point that I need to look for a new forward I will. Obviously, I'm a hockey coach and I need to look to improve my team in any way shape or form and does that mean I need to bring in another forward? It's tough right now but if we play again like we did tonight then there's no issues.

SWSC: Aaron Nell is in the building tonight...

Ryan: (laughs) Even if he wanted to he wouldn't be allowed back. He's taken his chance and he's doing really well right now. There is no option of that.

SWSC: Looking forward to next weekend and the double header against Bracknell. Now last season we didn't perform too well against them. What's the game plan?

Ryan: The game plan is exactly the same as tonight and as last night. We don't get involved in any of their crap. That's not the style we play and we just ignore it and play hard. If they want to take penalties they can take penalties. Obviously we will be team tough but we are not going out looking to play that style of hockey, we'll play the way we did tonight.

SWSC: Looking around the rest of the league then, Manchester look to be running away with it so far. What's it going to take to beat them?

Ryan: Well, they're a big strong hockey team. Obviously they are going to go through their lulls throughout the season. Well you'd like to think! You have to play super defense. You have to play very smart against them. They're big and strong and some of the goals they scored on us we were just out-muscled. It will be a tough one and only time will tell I guess.

Supporters Player of the Month September: Henri Sandvik

Last Saturday Henri Sandvik was presented with the SWSC Supporters's Player of the Month trophy on behalf of you, the fans. This is Henri's second season with the Cats and he has come back with a bang! So far this season Henri has scored 6 goals and has a total of 7 points.

Speaking to Henri just after the presentation, he said, 'The fans have been great and it is an honour to be their Player of the Month...Every night I try to do my best for the team and for the fans'. 

It seems the fans are enjoying his goal celebrations as much as the goals. Some have chosen unique ways to show their support (you know who you are!)

Henri acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to do for the team to reach their full potential. The new additions are still gelling and they are still forming their bonds as a team. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and continuing to make lots of noise: 'we haven't played as well as we can so big thanks to the fans that they are still cheering us on, giving us some energy'

But noisy fans alone do not bring the goals needed. Looking ahead, Henri said, 'It's important that we stick to the game plan and play the full 60 minutes. That's how we are going to win games...Always at the beginning of the season things are a bit messed, but it will just get better and better'.

Congratulations again to Henri and thank you all for voting!

#loudandproud

Jonas Hoog: It's all about practise!!

Last Saturday Swindon suffered a 4-0 loss to Manchester Phoenix. After the game we sat down with Jonas Hoog to talk about the game, and returning to Swindon without Aaron Nell.

SWSC: Firstly we would like to officially welcome you back to Swindon on behalf of the fans. Can you tell us, what was it that eventually swung your decision to return?

Jonas: I'd been talking to Ryan the whole summer. It's just I've been on the road a long time. I'm starting to get old and I need to start getting my own place and figuring out life afterwards. I didn't find something at home so you know I wanted to come back here.

SWSC: So will you be looking this season to go home eventually?

Jonas: Well sometime. You know, I wanted to stay home all summer and then it got to the end and I thought like, yeah one more year! (Laughs)

SWSC: Last season we saw you play a lot on the line with Aaron Nell. You were a great duo, very compatible. This season there are a lot of new faces. How are you adapting to this?

Jonas: It's all about practise and when you start getting to know guys it's easier to play with them. It's all about practise and playing with each other as much as you can.

SWSC: Do you think you are getting enough practise on ice during the week to achieve that?

Jonas: Maybe not for me but I'm so used to being on ice every day when I'm back home. But it's hard to get ice time in the UK so there's not much you could do.

SWSC: Do you have the opportunity to develop these relationships off ice?

Jonas: Yeah, me and Juha (Silvander) live together. And with the other imports, we go to the gym together every day.

SWSC: Last season your biggest achievement was breaking the 100 point barrier! What is your target for this season?

Jonas: Just winning as many games as we can!

SWSC: Tonight unfortunately was a disappointing loss. What do you think are the biggest lessons Swindon can take from this?

Jonas: Oh a lot, you know I think there is a lot in the D-Zone we can learn. They moved the puck fast and we spent too much time looking at the puck and not keeping up with the guys. We need to practice more in the D-Zone.

SWSC: Who do you think will be Swindon's biggest threat this season?

Jonas: Manchester are looking to be pretty good. Guildford is always up there but Manchester have a really good squad so they're going to be really tough.

SWSC: If you were to say now where you thought Swindon could finish where would it be?

Jonas: First!!